The Green Bay Packers quarterback didn't expect to be playing a winless Saints team on Sunday at Lambeau Field. And he certainly didn't expect his Packers to be a disappointing 1-2.

"I expected maybe both teams would be 3-0 at this point going in," Rodgers said. "We've both had some frustrating games. They've had a couple close ones, and so have we. But there is still a lot of the season to go. They have a lot of pride on that team, a lot of talented players, and so do we. It's going to be one of the better 1-2 against 0-3 matchups you are going to see."

The Saints apparently are aware of that. Despite Rodgers' slow start this season, Saints interim coach Aaron Kromer said he knows the Saints' defense could be in for its biggest challenge of the season.

Like Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Rodgers hasn't performed up to his usual standards. After setting the NFL single-season passer rating record of 122.5 last season, Rodgers ranks 16th in the league so far with a rating of 87.0.

But Green Bay Coach Mike McCarthy said he doesn't pay a great deal to the statistics.

"Frankly, I don't even look at the quarterback rankings after the first week," McCarthy said. "I've been in this long enough to understand where statistics factor and how much of a sample size you need to put your teeth into it. Week three, compared to week 13, I do have confidence for both Aaron and Drew that it will be different."

Kromer agreed. He said Rodgers is one of the NFL's best quarterbacks.

"Here is the thing, you have to stay tight in your coverages because he is going to do, like Drew normally does, and get the ball off quickly," Kromer said. "You don't want to give up the big play with him because he has the capability and the players to do that. You want to get as much pressure as you can to disturb him, just like any quarterback. If he is able to sit back there and see the field and have time, he is very competent and, obviously, one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL."

But part of problem for Rodgers, who has passed for 745 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions, has been the amount of duress he has been under.

Rodgers has been sacked a league-high 16 times, including eight times in last week's controversial 14-12 loss to Seattle.

"Obviously we want to cut down the number of sacks," Rodgers said. "We all have to take our part in that. It's obviously a point of emphasis after last week."